Nick Fairley hopeful of Detroit Lions return

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley is hopeful that he will be able to return to the club for the 2015 season.

The 27-year-old was selected by the Lions in the first round of the 2011 Draft, but has failed to live up to expectations at the club despite playing alongside All-Pro Ndamukong Suh.

Jim Caldwell's men opted not to take the option to sign Fairley to a one-year extension for the 2015 season, meaning that the defensive tackle will be a free agent when the league year ends next month.

"I love Detroit, to be honest," Fairley told the Detroit Free Press. "I feel the city, the people in it. I love the atmosphere of basically the hard work that they bring.

"I'm just all work, and that's definitely the vibe I get from the city, and I like it."

Fairley has recorded 98 tackles and 13.5 sacks during his four-year NFL career.